Menu

8 Things You Should Definitely Do When You Arrive at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is Walt Disney World’s most visited theme park, and the most visited theme park in the entire world.  There is so much to see and do that pointers are definitely helpful to get the most out of your day.  Here are 8 things you should definitely do when you arrive at Disney’s Magic Kingdom:

[google_ad]

8. Catch the Opening Ceremony

Try to get to the park early enough to get through security just before opening to enter Magic Kingdom for the opening ceremony held in front of Cinderella Castle. It will get you completely pumped for the day and get you feeling the magic before you even really get deep into your day.  You will love it, and you also get the chance to hear fun songs and see some of your favorite characters.

7. Grab a park map and Times Guide

When you enter the park you will see stands that contain park maps and Times Guides.  You will definitely want to grab these and study them.  It will be helpful to have a feel for the layout of the park and where the lands are.  You will also want to review the Times Guide for various show times and character meet and greets to ensure that you can work must-do attractions into your family’s itinerary for the day.

6. Stop for a celebration button if you are celebrating something special

Once you enter the park, if you head toward the left you will see an area where Guest Relations is set up.  At that location there is a cast member with a ton of different buttons.  These buttons are free for guests and give you a way to celebrate just about anything:  anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, selling your house, moving, passing a test, etc.  Whatever you deem a celebration, you can get a button for it and wear it proudly around the park.

5. Take picture in front of Cinderella Castle

The first thing that you will lock eyes on when you walk into the Magic Kingdom is the iconic Cinderella Castle.  Be sure to take a selfie or have one of the PhotoPass photographers take your picture as you enter the park.  Whether it is your first visit or your 100th, it doesn’t feel like your Disney vacation has really begun until you see the castle and take a picture to commemorate the occasion.

4. Look out for performers and sights on Main Street USA

There is a lot of various entertainment right on Main Street USA that so many guests miss because they hurry past it in order to get to the major attractions.  Right on Main Street there are horse-drawn trolley rides, singing and dancing performances at the train station, Main Street Citizens interacting with guests, character meet and greets, appearances by the Dapper Dans and more.  It is a happening fun place to be with a lot of great magical moments.

3. Choose left or right (or more through the middle)

When you enter the park and get to the castle hub area, many guests make the important decision to either go left or right.  If you head left, you head to right into Adventureland.  If you head right, you will head right into Tomorrowland.  There are typically two kinds of guests, those that choose to go right and those that choose to go left.  The majority of guests go right since that is typically the laws of traffic to stick to the right.  If you go left, you may get to experience less traffic earlier in the day.  You may also choose to head down the middle and hit Liberty Square or Fantasyland!

[google_ad_btf]

2. Head to the most popular attractions with the shortest wait times

If you are at the park close to opening, then check the wait times on the app and head to the larger attractions with shorter wait times.  The wait times for these attractions are typically the shortest first thing in the morning and help you save time and get to ride some of your most desired attractions.

1. Snag FastPass+ selections, if you haven’t already

If you haven’t made your FastPass+ selections then definitely log into the app while you are at the park and go ahead and make selections from what is remaining.  This will help save you time in lines and help ensure that you get to see and do as much as possible during your day at the Magic Kingdom.

About Christy Caby

I am a diehard Disney fanatic! I fell in love with all things Disney from an early age and that only increased once I first visited Walt Disney World! It led me to complete a yearlong Disney College Program working at merchandise locations within Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney-MGM Studios at that time) and I worked for Disney Parks & Resorts Technology in Project/Program Management. Now I get to write about Disney and help others plan their magical vacations! Disney holds a special place in the hearts of my entire family as my husband proposed there, we honeymooned there, took trips while pregnant with each of my boys and have visited with them many, many times from 8 weeks old through now. One of my favorite memories from each trip is always the look on my kids’ faces the first time they see the castle. I’d love to help you plan your magical vacation! Request a free quote at http://magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/christy-caby/ or look for me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christy.caby. Have a magical day!